Ky. Derby prep: Santa Anita Derby draws fastest contenders

The Kentucky Derby trail hits California one last time Saturday in the Grade 1, 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby. A field of five, headlined by reigning Eclipse champion juvenile Citizen Bull, has signed on to run for the reduced qualifying points, with 75 points going to the winner.

The Santa Anita Derby celebrates its 90th anniversary this year as one of the best Kentucky Derby preps. Ten winners of the race have gone on to win the Kentucky Derby, and seven who didn't win have used the Santa Anita Derby to advance into a Derby win. Since 2010, four Kentucky Derby winners have come out of the Santa Anita Derby and one, Justify in 2018, won the Triple Crown.

Trainer Bob Baffert has Citizen Bull ready for the test ahead, and also sends the highly regarded Barnes into the fray. Citizen Bull secured his spot in the Kentucky Derby with his victories in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile and the Robert B. Lewis (G3). Barnes, who broke his maiden at Churchill Downs last November, returned in the San Vicente (G2) but earned no Kentucky Derby points for the effort. In the San Felipe (G2), Barnes ran a strong second to Journalism to earn 17.5 points. He must run first or second to make the Derby.

Meanwhile, Journalism comes into the Santa Anita Derby off back-to-back stakes wins in the Los Alamitos Futurity (G2) and San Felipe (G2). A win is not required here from the Mike McCarthy trainee to make the Derby, but a solid performance would boost confidence for the first Saturday in May.

By far the fastest prep of the season, the top HRN speed figure belongs to Journalism, with a 130. The next-fastest on the scale is Barnes with a 127. These two share the highest TimeformUS figure of 122, with Citizen Bull coming in at a 118. Citizen Bull tops all with a 107 Brisnet Speed Rating, with Journalism coming in at 104 on that speed scale. Finally, Journalism leads with the top Beyer Speed Figure of 108. Barnes comes in at a 105.

Two horses have 100+ speed figures across the board, Journalism and Barnes. A 98 Beyer figure keeps Citizen Bull from the same notable rating. Although these figures indicate quality speed overall, the horses have different running styles, and that will make the difference.

Here are the top lifetime speed figures for the Santa Anita Derby entrants.

*Beyer and TimeformUS speed figures are provided courtesy of Daily Racing Form.